The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to create extra seats in medical science, engineering and other professional courses in the state for the academic year 2008-2009 so that the general category students do not suffer due to 69 per cent reservation provided by the state in professional courses.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P Sathasivam gave this direction on an application filed by an NGO called 'VOICE' praying for increase in the number of seats for meritorious students.

VOICE had earlier challenged the constitutional validity of the Tamil Nadu Reservation Act, providing for 69 per cent quota in public employment and educational institutions in 1994.

The apex court passed an order keeping in view the interests of the general category meritorious students so that they are also able to get admission.

Earlier, the apex court had fixed an upper limit of 50 per cent for total reservation in the Mandal Commission case in 1992.

The SC has been issuing such directions every year since 1994 to take care of the interests of the general category candidates.

The Tamil Nadu government's notification providing 69 per cent reservation in public emplyoment and educational institutions is already under challenge in the Supreme Court.